Twelve areas to be added for proactive code enforcement

By Carol Cole-Frowe

Transcript Staff Writer

The City of Norman will be stepping up its proactive code enforcement in 12 additional areas, after Norman city councilmembers approved the measure at their regular meeting Tuesday.

The new proactive areas have a higher number of complaints than other areas of the city. The 12 areas will be added to two Core Norman neighborhoods near the University of Oklahoma currently receiving proactive enforcement.

The proactive code enforcement would be used for visible violations from public property including high grass, junk, limbs, illegal parking on private property, dilapidated structures, inoperable vehicles, illegal signs and other violations.

"The proactive code compliance has been an overwhelming success in the two areas," said Joyce Collard, whose Oakhurst addition will be one of the new enforcement areas. "I think it's a very good, cost-effective program."

The protests to proactive code enforcement were mostly the same -- there still won't be enough of it.

"It's kind of somewhat like taxation without representation," said Mark Campbell, who said the whole city needs proactive enforcement. "All areas are being taxed, but only some areas are being patrolled."

Roger Gallagher said it is a huge quality of life issue when considering areas with lots of rental properties or apartments.

"I would like to have a little wider coverage," Gallagher said, asking that weekend patrols be increased. "Weekends are the most abusive times. ... We expect the same service as the rest of the city gets."

Mayor Cindy Rosenthal said the plan is to expand the proactive code compliance as city resources become available.

"I share Mr. Gallagher's problem," Rosenthal said. "I'm not in a proactive area either."

Revitalization director Linda Price said the whole goal is to gain compliance. In areas where there has been proactive code enforcement, violations occur less frequently as residents get more acclimated to the change.

Norman code inspectors will be driving those neighborhoods. The rest are enforced on a "complaint-only" basis.